Cardinal Kikuchi reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis: “A Pastor Filled with Love and Mer

Following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, SVD, Archbishop of Tokyo, Japan, shared a heartfelt tribute recalling the Holy Father’s impact on the global Church and his personal encounters with the pope.

Cardinal Kikuchi first met Francis in May 2013, shortly after his election, during a Caritas Internationalis board meeting. In a departure from tradition, Francis invited the group into the chapel of his residence at Casa Santa Marta, choosing to live outside the Apostolic Palace—a decision emblematic of his pastoral style.

“Gathering everyone together and listening to each other’s voices is the basic attitude of Pope Francis from the beginning of his pontificate,” Kikuchi said. “This led to the path of the Synod that followed.”

The Archbishop of Tokyo emphasized how Francis’ approach was consistently echoed in his major teachings—from Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) to Laudato Si’ (Praised Be), and especially in the recent 16th Synod of Bishops, where the Pope repeatedly underscored the role of the Holy Spirit.

“During the two Synod General Assemblies that I attended, Pope Francis often repeated the words, ‘The Holy Spirit is the protagonist.’ What the Church needs now is to listen obediently to the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” Kikuchi noted.

The cardinal also reflected on the Pope’s Apostolic Visit to Japan in November 2019. As Archbishop of Tokyo, he had the privilege of accompanying the Holy Father throughout the program in the capital, including a moment of deep pastoral joy.

“When we rode around the Tokyo Dome in an open car together, I saw in him a pastor filled with love and mercy, waving to everyone with a smile of genuine joy and blessing the children.”

Amid ongoing global crises—marked by pandemics, wars, and growing despair—Kikuchi said Pope Francis offered a prophetic message of unity and hope. He noted the Pope’s theme for the Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, a call for the Church to walk together in solidarity and become a witness to Christ's hope.

“It is a great blow to the Church to lose such a strong pastor at this time when we are on the path to the Holy Year,” he said.

Francis appointed Kikuchi to the College of Cardinals on December 7, 2024. The archbishop expressed sorrow that he did not have more time to serve closely under the Holy Father’s leadership.

“I did not expect Holy Father to go away so fast... I had even heard clearly how I would be able to support him as a cardinal. I would like to continue to walk the path he showed us, following his example, while finding the role he expects me to play.”

Kikuchi invited the faithful to join in prayer and thanksgiving for Pope Francis's enduring witness:

“Let us express our gratitude for his many years of contributions to the Church and his guidance as a pastor, and pray together for his eternal rest—that he may be richly rewarded in the bosom of the Father.”